People form numerous relationships with people, objects, and places. As these relationships have become increasingly complex, The Easiest Civil Law Book in Korea, which simplified everyday legal matters, was awarded the 10th Brunch Book Publishing Project in 2023. The Sungkyun Times (SKT) interviewed the author of this masterpiece, Attorney Oh Su-hyun, a partner at Approach Law Firm and a lecturer in civil law.
From Economics to Law
Q1. Could you please introduce yourself?
Hello, I am Attorney Oh Su-hyun. After graduating from the Department of Global Economics at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), I became a lawyer and now work as a civil law lecturer and writer. I am also a partner attorney at Approach Law Firm, where I strive to work closely with clients and delve into the essence of cases.
Q2. What kind of student were you at SKKU’s Department of Global Economics?
I was a diligent student with a solid academic drive. Since my undergraduate years, I have been deeply interested in economic research and served as a teaching assistant. This major suited my aptitude well, so I enjoyed reading classic literature in related fields even outside of exam periods and furthered my studies at Indiana University.
Q3. What led you to aspire to become a lawyer despite studying economics?
Although I had a passion for economics, a turning point led me to transition to law — taking a law class at Indiana University in my senior year. The class, which focused on legal philosophy and famous thinkers like Montesquieu, left a profound impression on me. At that time, I was contemplating whether to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in economics or prepare for law school following my undergraduate studies. However, after taking that class, I decided to delve deeper into studying law.
A Lawyer Writing and Lecturing
-As a Legal Practitioner
Q4. What values and attitudes do you consider to be essential as a lawyer that legal professionals should most importantly possess?
Pride in handling legal matters, particularly in litigation, is crucial. A law firm is a very high-intensity workplace, so it is challenging to sustain a long career without passion for one’s profession. For instance, you may face defendants daily when handling criminal cases, which can be emotionally draining. Despite such stress, having pride is essential for long-term commitment. As legal professionals, we must have a sense of duty to persuade judges, change precedents, and assist others, thereby contributing to societal change.
-Words from the Author
Q5. Please briefly introduce your book, The Easiest Civil Law Book in Korea.
The Easiest Civil Law Book in Korea is a humanities book I wrote to promote the joy and usefulness of studying civil law. It explains civil law concepts through everyday transactions. For example, it extracts concepts of sale and agency contracts from the simple act of buying a snack at a convenience store. Through this approach, this book aims to expand perspectives by elucidating the essence of complicated terms in everyday language.
Q6. What aspect did you pay the most attention to while writing the book?
I spent a lot of time adjusting the difficulty level of the book’s content. Using material that is too difficult might alienate readers, while using only straightforward content might make it lack substance. I wanted to find the balance between making it moderately challenging yet differentiated from existing civil law books. I also remember struggling to sift through the critical points of civil law and choose topics that would be interesting. Writing a book is a process that must consider the readers, so I always tried to think from their perspective.
Q7. When was your most rewarding moment after the book was published?
I felt most rewarded when readers contacted me personally. Receiving e-mails saying that they finally understood complex concepts they could not grasp in school lectures or online courses stands out the most. I had been consistently uploading my work to an online writing and publishing platform, Brunch Book, even before the book’s formal publication, so I also vividly remember reading the comments from early readers. Thanks to the gratitude expressed by my readers, I am reinvigorated to continue writing.
Q8. Were there any challenges you faced while working as an author?
It was not easy to maintain creativity consistently. Unlike ordinary work, where you are guaranteed to forge ahead with enough effort, writing requires methodical attempts. There were instances where I spent hours trying but could not properly complete a piece. Good writers need their routines to maintain their creativity. Methods such as consistently reading a wide range of genres outside one’s field of interest, including essays, articles, and novels, may help.
Q9. What are your thoughts on receiving the award from Brunch Book?
I want to thank the Brunch Book staff, who allowed me to place my name on the bestseller shelf even though I was not a professional writer. Brunch Books gives writers a chance to publish a book after they upload a certain number of pieces of writing on the website. This platform helped me consistently write whatever I wanted anytime, anywhere. I am also grateful to the readers who showed love and interest, and I hope to become a better writer and write many good pieces in the future.
-Lecturer of Civil Law
Q10. Was there a specific reason that motivated you to become a civil law lecturer?
The Easiest Civil Law Book in Korea, which I did not have high expectations for, led to lecture offers from various places as it won an award at the Brunch Book Award and remained a bestseller for a long time. Through this, I observed that the public had a thirst for knowledge in civil law. After considering if there was any way I could help, I decided to become a lecturer. The transition happened naturally, from tutoring close acquaintances to standing at a civil law lecture in front of a crowd.
Q11. Among various legal subjects, what is the allure of civil law that led you to teach it?
I focus on teaching civil law because of its high importance. Civil law is known as the foundation for all other laws. It opens various areas of law, including administrative, criminal, and public law. Except for special fields like criminal law, civil law can explain most complex relationships through its principles. Since my time in law school, I have dedicated much time to studying civil law, and I still find its straightforward depiction of the world beautiful.
Q12. Do you have a specific direction when teaching civil law?
Firstly, I aim to understand the broader framework that encompasses society. Secondly, I ensure detailed learning through concrete cases to avoid falling into abstract concepts. For example, I make sure that students understand how laws reflect reality through actual precedents and grasp the ideas prioritized by academia through previous exam questions. Lastly, I aim to provide tips for students preparing for essential exams. The reason why I emphasize balance is that when I was a student, I tended to focus excessively on one aspect. I eventually realized near graduation that studying everything at an even weight was the right approach.
Stepping Stones toward the Future
Q13. Are there any other professions or areas of interest you would like to challenge yourself with?
The book I have written falls under the field of humanities and the explanatory writing genre, but I have always dreamed of writing essays. I would like to venture into a new domain as a writer by pursuing that dream. Unlike my previous book, which compiled widely known information, I aspire to publish an essay book where I can logically argue and creatively depict various topics.
Q14. As an alumnus of SKKU, do you have any advice for Kingos?
I actively encourage students to seek out the various opportunities provided by the university. SKKU spares no effort in providing students with the best experiences possible. However, it is up to you to knock on the doors of these opportunities. Whether it is helping others with specialized knowledge or raising your voice in the world through speech and writing, starting from the school you are currently in will lead you closer to achieving your goals.